Missing Teeth/Implants

Whether a tooth has recently been removed or missing for a long period of time, a dental implant is one option that can be explored to replace the tooth and restore function, or aesthetics.

A dental implant is an artificial root replacement that is placed into the jaw to hold a crown or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for teeth lost due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. The ideal candidate for a dental implant is someone with good general and oral health. There must be adequate bone in the jaw to support the implant and healthy gum tissues free of disease are also recommended. They can be used to replace a single tooth or several teeth.

A key to implant success is the quantity and quality of bone where the implant is to be placed. Deformities in the jaw can leave you with insufficient bone to place dental implants. To correct the problem, bone grafting/augmentation may be needed before an implant can be placed. We can now use special xrays called Cone Beam CT scans to determine exactly how much bone is available and whether this type of augmentation will be necessary before embarking upon surgery.